Primary Bridge Forces

Tension __________: a pulling force that acts to lengthen the thing it is acting on.

If the tension becomes too large, the material will first _______ (permanently yield deform) and then snap/rupture ____________. Example: springs stretched beyond their elastic limit permanently deform.

___________: Compression a pushing force that acts to shorten the thing that it is acting on.

If the compression becomes too large, the buckle material may __________. Example: 2-meter stick pushed against wall In which direction does buckling occur? In the direction that the material is the thinnest ________. Length: Compare 1-meter stick vs. 2-m stick. Conclusion: Buckling is more likely for longer ______ objects and ________ objects. thinner

Types of Bridges:
(1) Beam Bridge: a horizontal structure resting on two piers the simplest and least expensive bridge Can span a distance of up to 200 feet If the needed span is more than 200 feet, additional piers are required (could become a disruption to river traffic)

Forces in a Beam Bridge

Demo: Use a sponge notched on top and bottom as a beam. When loaded with closes weight, the notch on top _________ and the notch on bottom __________. opens Conclusion:
compression

tension

The top of a beam experiences compression __________. tension The bottom of a beam experiences _______.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

A beam bridge designed by Andy Nicol, a former Central High School physics and AP Physics student (class of 1997). He went on to become a civil engineer.
In 2009, he sent me this picture with the following description of his role in the project This bridge is specifically designed to have enough clearance for delivery of Boeing 737's to the fabrication plant in Seattle along a railway line.For this project, I designed the bridge from top to bottom, and managed the generation of the construction drawings. The company I work for also managed the construction effort with personnel on site, on behalf of the rail company, to keep an eye on the contractor. I was not on site daily, but I did make monthly site visits and responded to construction questions and changes during that phase of the project.

I-Beams
Why are many beams often made in the shape of an I? (appropriately called I-beams )

With most of the compression on top and most of the tension on bottom, the middle of the beam would experience _______ force! So, less little material is needed there. Its more efficient _________ than a solid beam - very strong for its weight.

Truss Bridges
To strengthen a beam bridge, a truss is often added on top or on bottom of the beam. This increases the bridges rigidity (keeps it from deforming ___________ when loaded), and allows the dissipated forces to be ____________(spread out over a greater area) throughout the truss. The bridge can then span a longer distance than a simple beam bridge.

Examples

Demo: Straw Truss Bridge

Add weight to straw bridge When the triangles of the truss are connected, the bridge is strong, and can support the weight. When the triangles are not connected, the bridge is MUCH less rigid and fails (the triangles are basically doing nothing!)
Holds!

Fails! Just like a simple beam, the top of a truss is loaded in compression while the bottom is in _________. The other tension _____________, members in between can experience both forces.

Why do trusses always consist of triangles?

dissipate They ___________ the forces more efficiently than other shapes, and are also stable more _______.
Demo: Compare To strengthen and stabilize the square To strengthen and stabilize the pentagon

(2) Arch Bridge: a semi-circular structure

with abutments (supports) on each end. The weight is naturally carried outward along the curve of the arch to the abutments. The entire bridge, then, is undercompression __________. Arch bridges can span longer distances than beam distances (up to 1000 ft) Demos: Cardboard arch with and without abutments
Without: Fails! With: Holds!

Small wooden arch bridge that can be stood on!

Many ancient bridges were arch bridges made out of stone.

Old arch bridge in Israel; picture taken by Penelope RosenstockMurav, Central Class of 2009

Concrete arch bridge overlooking the Hoover Dam

Under Construction

Some arch bridges are even made of wood

Arch bridge in South Dakota; picture taken in 2006.

(3) Suspension Bridge: roadway is

suspended by huge cables

The cables transfer the compression into the towers, which dissipate the compression directly into the earth below the towers. The cables transfer the tension to the anchorages, which dissipate the tension into the earth.

Can span much greater distances, up to 7000 feet! More expensive, but also more aesthetically pleasing!

Brooklyn Bridge

Golden Gate in San Francisco

(4) Cable-stayed Bridge: Most

modern similar to suspension bridge, but cables are attached to roadway. (NO anchorages at end of bridge)

Advantage: Requires less cable than suspension bridge

An analogy: The road deck in a cable-stayed bridge is supported in the same way as

Head = Towers Arms = Road deck

The closest cable-stayed bridge to Champaign is found in Alton, IL. It spans the Mississippi River approximately 30 miles north of St. Louis. The bridge was completed in 1993.